Best Way to Mix Peat Moss Into Raised Bed

3 months ago

last modified: 3 months ago

I have had problems keeping Scottish Heather alive in my zone 9b climate, planted in a well-drained bark soil. I did bring the pH of the soil to around 5.6, although Heather prefers it around 4.5. The plants are just not hanging on in that soil and quickly go South.

Talking to several Scottish gardeners, they recommend a soil mix of 50% peat moss and 50% sandy loam. Peat moss tends to dry out rapidly, and once it is dry can be very difficult to rehydrate. What kind of soil mix that is heavily slanted towards peat moss would others recommend, that would not dry out as much? I am thinking of adding about 10% turface.

My strategy going forward is going to be to:

1) Give the planting hole a more native soil mix with lots of peat moss

2) Provide the plants with shade behind a large rock while they establish

3) Provide dedicated drip irrigation around the plant

4) Provide a thick mulch layer

Any problems with this or other ideas?

The first photo is a plant in the ground, quickly dying. The second photo is a plant still in its original pot, kept in a saucer with water, and it is thriving.

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Comments (3)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 months ago
I would not be overly focused on soil pH. While heaths and heathers definitely prefer an acidic soil, they do NOT require a highly acidic soil. Anywhere less than 6.5 should be fine. They grow like weeds here - in virtually every established neighborhood and frequently planted in traffic circles and commercial parking lots. They are tough, durable plants. And nowhere in this area is the soil pH much lower than 6.3 to 6.0. In fact, the largest H&H nursery in the US is located just a few miles away!

What they really dislike is a too rich, water retentive soil, too much summer heat and humidity, being allowed to dry out excessively or alternately, watering excessively. Skip the thick mulch layer.

A recommended raised bed soil mix for these plants is 20% peat moss, 10% perlite, 10% compost, 10% garden soil and 10% sand. Or, look for a bagged acidic potting soil. EB Stone's Eureka Planting mix or Gardner & Bloome Acid Planting mix or Dr. Earth's Acid Lovers would all work beautifully and are all CA based companies.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
3 months ago
@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) Those percentages total to 60%. You might have left something out or made a typo.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 months ago
Good catch! The garden soil/topsoil component should be 50%. Personally, I'd skip all that bother and just purchase the bagged soil. It should work perfectly for your needs.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)